THE APOSTROPHE
Theory and Exercises
The apostrophe is used for two distinct purposes: to indicate contraction and to indicate possession.
Contraction
A contraction is the shortened form of two words. Using contractions can add an informal tone to your
writing. Apostrophes are used in contractions to indicate the omission of letters.
When two words are shortened into one word and a letter is (or letters are) left out, the
apostrophe goes in the place of the missing letter(s).
Examples:
they are = they’re
did not = didn’t
will not = won’t
who is, who has = who’s
is not = isn’t
let us = let’s
it is, has = it’s
you would = you’d
there is = there’s
we are = we’re
we will = we’ll
she is, she has = she’s
The apostrophe is also used to show the omission of numbers.
Example:
The class of 2005 = the class of ‘05
Exercise 1
Write the following set of words in their contracted form.
he will __________________
you have ________________
I am ___________________
do not __________________
would not _______________
where is _________________
you will _________________
it is _____________________
Jill is ____________________
they have ________________
you are __________________
has not__________________
can not _________________
have not ________________
we are __________________
should not _______________
will not __________________
could have _______________
Exercise 2
Place an apostrophe where necessary in these sentences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Im sorry, but we wont be able to attend the party on Friday.
Whats wrong with Dave? He hasnt come to class in two weeks.
The exam didnt have any questions on it that I couldnt answer.
Jonathan graduated Humber Colleges class of 99.
Possession
The apostrophe also shows ownership or possession. The owner is the first noun, and the apostrophe is
given to the owner. It possesses the noun or nouns that come right after it.
The Writing Centre
Department of English
1
THE APOSTROPHE
Theory and Exercises
Examples:
the student’s homework
the opera singer’s voice
a driver’s license
worker’s compensation
a day’s work
your money’s worth
Add an apostrophe and an s to singular and plural nouns that don’t end in s:
Examples:
person
teacher
father-in-law
Bob
+’s = the person’s opinion
+’s = the teacher’s lecture
+’s = my father-in-law’s house
+’s = Bob’s hat
people
women
children
anyone
+’s = people’s rights
+’s = women’s rights
+’s = children’s toys
+’s = anyone’s responsibility
Add an apostrophe and an s to singular nouns that end in s:
Examples:
James
Paris
+’s = James’s
+’s = Paris’s
My boss
The business
+’s = My boss’s
+’s = The business’s
Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns that end in s:
Examples:
the Smiths
boys
musicians
+’s = the Smiths’ boat
+’s = boys’ washroom
+’s = musicians’ instruments
two girls
doctors
workers
+’s = two girls’ dolls
+’s = doctors’ office
+’s = workers’ break
Exercise 3
Make the following words possessive.
1. students
2. businesswomen
3. boys
4. girl
5. no one
6. Humber College
7. summer
8. Canada
9. yesterday
10. prime minister
Warning!
Don’t assume that if a word ends in an s, it is possessive. Make sure that the word possesses something
before you put in an apostrophe.
The workers were angry.
We invited the Kennedys over for dinner.
Notice that there are no apostrophes after the workers and Kennedys because these words do not
possess the next.
The Writing Centre
Department of English
2
THE APOSTROPHE
Theory and Exercises
Special Considerations:
Joint Possession
If more than one noun has ownership of the same thing, only the last noun should be possessive, as in
the following:
Example:
Jillian and Jordan’s new car is red.
To show individual possession of something, make each noun possessive.
Example:
Jillian’s and Jordan’s expectations were different.
Exercise 4
Add an apostrophe where necessary to show either joint or individual possession.
1.
2.
3.
4.
This is Chris and Pams new house.
Brett, Nathan, and Adams team won the competition.
Billys and Jimmys dads work together.
Sallys and Suzies trophies are in the display cabinet.
Plurals of Numbers, Letters, and Abbreviations
An apostrophe and an s can be used to pluralize single letters that appear in lowercase. This rule is
meant to assist the reader’s understanding and maintain clarity.
Examples:
Wrong: Make sure to cross all your ts and dot your is.
Correct: Make sure to cross all your t’s and dot your i’s.
The second sentence is much easier to read because the apostrophe clarifies the lowercase.
It is not necessary to use apostrophes when indicating plurals on capital letters, numbers or
abbreviations. (Keep in mind that some professors and instructors prefer apostrophes to be used.)
Examples:
There have been many UFOs sighted in New Mexico.
My grandfather was born in the 1930s.
Possessive Pronouns
Note that the following words, which are called possessive pronouns, are already possessive in form and
do not take an apostrophe or an s.
my/mine
its
The Writing Centre
Department of English
3
THE APOSTROPHE
Theory and Exercises
your/your
her/hers
his
our/ours
their/theirs
whose
The Writing Centre
Department of English
4